Living, learning and loving in Lyon !

Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière

A symbol of Lyon, la Basilique Notre-Dame de Fourvière looks over the city from Fourvière Hill (traditionally known as ‘the hill that prays’). It was built in the 1890s and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, a golden statue of whom sits atop the belltower. I think it’s gorgeous, but I have read that it has been referred to as an upside down elephant.

There’s actually two churches within the basilique, the top one is all sparkly and ornate with brilliant mosaics, whilst the lower is much more plain and simple, with little shrines dedicated to Mary around the walls.

Light a candle.

Kitsch Mary shrine in the lower sanctuary.

There’s an English mass there, once a month; and the Lord’s Prayer is displayed around the stircase to the lower sanctuary in many different languages. There’s also a tour in which you can end up on the roof!